City Council makes budget adjustments

The Bremerton City Council approved minor adjustments to the city’s 2004 budget during its weekly meeting Wednesday.

Among the adjustments were appropriating funds needed to move the Bremerton Kitsap Access Television studio equipment into the new government center as well as the installation of a fiber optic network in the center as well.

“This amendment provides for new adjustments to the 2004 budget,” said Michael Wilson, city finance director. “Most of these items had been approved by the Council, but just needed to be appropriated.”

The adjustments also reflected grants received by the fire department from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for an exhaust system in the new fire station and established a working budget for the new library project, which received a $100,000 grant from the Gates Foundation.

The Council also approved an interlocal cooperative purchasing agreement between the city and King County Fire District No. 2 for the potential future purchase of diesel exhaust extractors. The agreement, which is non-binding, allows the city to share King County’s bid on particular products.

The Council also appointed Ed Kim of Hotel Concepts and the Hampton Inn, and Coy Wood from the Howard Johnson Plaza to the lodging tax advisory committee.

In a study session following its business meeting, the Council heard presentations from the police department, public utilities department and city engineer.

The Bremerton Police Department recently received a U.S. Department of Justice Local Law Enforcement Block Grant, said Tim Sholtis, a member of the police department administrative support staff.

The grant, while smaller than those received in the past, will go toward the purchase of a new vehicle, Sholtis said.

“The first grant was used for funding a community resources division,” he said. “Then we decided to purchase vehicles because of past issues in funding them.”

City Water Resources Manager Kathleen Cahall briefed the Council about the need for a professional services agreement with Technical Services, Inc., to provide services as needed by the water utility.

The agreement requested is not to exceed $40,000 a year and will be renewed annually, Cahall said.

The city has worked with TSI in the past to upgrade its utility and has an excellent working relationship with the company, she said.

The Council will conduct a regular business meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 6 at City Hall.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.